News Releases

As a new school year is set to get underway, the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Police Service are advising residents that school zones are in effect beginning September 1^st, 2017. Drivers are once again required to reduce their speed to 30 kph inside school zones between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

This fall, four new school zones will be in effect in the following areas:

1. Stonebridge: Chief Whitecap School & St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic School
2. Hampton Village: Ernest Lindner School & St. Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic School
3. Evergreen: Sylvia Fedoruk School & St. Nicholas Catholic School
4. Rosewood: Colette Bourgonje & St. Therese of Lisieux Catholic School

“We’ve installed one continuous school zone in front of the adjacent public and separate schools in these neighbourhoods to provide a safe path for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” says Dave LeBoutillier, Acting Engineering Manager for Transportation. “All it takes to reduce your speed in a school zone is an additional 12 seconds of travel time; something we can all make time to do.”

School zones are marked by reflective, fluorescent yellow-green signs. It is an offence to speed in school zones as well as to make a u-turn, which has been restricted in Saskatoon since 2013. Offenders are subject to fines and the loss of three or more SGI demerit points.

“When drivers fail to comply with speed limits in school zones, they’re not only committing a speed violation, they are increasing the danger to students, parents, teachers and citizens using those school zones,” says Superintendent Brian Shalovelo of the Saskatoon Police Service. “We’ll be actively enforcing school zones from now through to June.”

In addition to physical police presence in school zones, Photo Speed Enforcement is also active in several school zones around the city. This program captures an image and licence plate information for vehicles violating the 30 kph speed restriction, and a fine is then mailed to the registered owner of that vehicle.

Learn more about school zones by visiting Saskatoon.ca/SchoolZones.

Saskatoon Transit wants people to nominate bus stops for improvements or replacement with help of Twitter and Facebook.

The “Bus Stop Blues” Campaign kicks-off today on Saskatoon Transit Twitter, City of Saskatoon Twitter and the City of Saskatoon’s Facebook page.  Over the next three weeks, using the hashtag #busstopbluesyxe, residents will be asked to post a photo and the location of the stop where they would like to see improvements. 

“Saskatoon Transit is listening and reacting to customer feedback,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.  “This is an opportunity to engage with the public and for the public to help shape the future of Saskatoon Transit.  Our goal is to continually improve the transit experience.”

Following the campaign, bus shelters and stops will be chosen for either replacement or renewal.

The Government of Canada has provided more than $1.5 million through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) for transit shelter improvements and network accessibility throughout the city - $300,000 will be devoted to the bus shelter and stop improvements.  

Saskatoon Transit values input from citizens and these bus shelter upgrades will work toward the principals outlined in the Growth Plan to 500,000.  

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit transit.saskatoon.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. Plan your route in advance using Google Transit Trip Planner or the Transit App on your mobile device.

With City Council’s approval this week, the City will move forward with developing options to expand the Waste Services Utility. Moving black-bin collection to a user-pay system would reduce property taxes by $8.9 million -- about 4%.  Put another way, this would transfer the cost of some or all waste management services to a monthly utility bill. The City will meet with residents in the fall and report back to Council in early 2018.

“We know this is an important initiative and we want to get it right,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “Residents have many concerns like affordability and increased illegal dumping. So, to hear what people think, we’re going to launch a series of community discussions this fall and gather input on the design of an expanded Waste Services Utility.”  

One option to be explored is a variable-rate utility/user-pay system which offers a number of benefits:

• Creates incentives to reduce the amount of waste residents put in their black garbage cart.
• Allows the City to build a sustainable funding model.
• Extends the life of the landfill.

Wallace stresses the variable fee-for service garbage collection model includes charges based on cart size or collection frequency, not weight.

“Research conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2013 discovered waste utility models can improve waste diversion rates by up to 40 per cent,” Wallace says. “A successful waste diversion program is critical to deferring the closure of the landfill.”

Wallace adds the costs to close the existing landfill and establish a new landfill are estimated at $26 million and $100 million respectively.

The community has set a target of diverting 70% of our waste from the landfill. This means that 70% of waste in Saskatoon will be reused, recycled or composted. In 2016, 22% of waste was being diverted through programs such as the single and multi-unit residential recycling programs. This is the second lowest diversion rate when benchmarked against other Canadian cities.

More information on the City’s Waste Diversion Plan can be found on saskatoon.ca/wastediversion.  

This expansion of the waste services utility supports the Strategic Goal of Environmental Leadership including the four-year priority to promote and facilitate city-wide composting and recycling and the long-term strategy to eliminate the need for a new landfill; It also supports the Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability by reducing reliance on residential property taxes and setting long term sustainable rates.

Mayor Charlie Clark finds the ongoing search for financial savings at City Hall encouraging, but he knows that there is work left to do.

“Through conversations, emails, social media messages, and phone calls, I am continuing to hear from citizens that they are concerned about potential tax increases and the financial situation of the City of Saskatoon,” said Mayor Clark. “The people of Saskatoon are expecting us to make sure that their tax dollars are spent wisely and with the largest impact possible.”

The Mayor explained that it is important to find savings in ways that create efficiencies and deliver services more effectively.

“City Council recognizes that citizens want to see the City save money in ways that don’t simply cut services or raise fees for residents,” Mayor Clark said. “Today I am pleased to highlight key examples of how we have done this over the past few years.”

For more than a decade, the City has explored and implemented new ways to improve services and increase savings, while also managing the growth pressures the City faces. The recently released Saskatoon Strides: 2016 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability highlights the progress the City made to drive service improvements, find savings for taxpayers, and operate more sustainably.

“Sometimes these examples get lost in the mix and we wanted to call attention to them today,” said Mayor Clark. “In addition to the savings featured in the Saskatoon Strides document, the recent 30 Day Challenge empowered staff to suggest avenues for increased savings, and many of the recommendations are around energy efficiencies, using technology more effectively, and cutting internal red tape.”

Mayor Clark reiterated that the City is heading in the right direction to deliver affordable and sustainable programs and services that improve the quality of life for citizens. “Given the City’s recent reduction in funding, it is important that the work of finding cost savings continues. It is also a priority of mine to get the basics right, and I believe that this is what the citizens of Saskatoon expect and deserve from the City.”

August 21, 2017 Meeting

7.1.2.1            2017 Civic Services Survey Results

Decision

*The Committee carried unanimously a recommendation that the information be received.

Background

*The City has conducted the Civic Services Survey annually since the early 1990s. The last survey was completed in May 2016. In March 2016, the City issued a tender for work on the City of Saskatoon Annual Civic Services Survey. Insightrix Inc. (Insightrix) was awarded the contract for 2016 with the option to extend for a second year, which was exercised to conduct the 2017 survey.

7.1.2.2            2017 Citizen Budget Results

Decision

*The Committee carried unanimously a recommendation that the information be received.

Background

*City Council and the Administration consider several factors when building the City’s annual budget including: the population, inflation, capital investments, City Council priorities, performance measures, and public input. Administration has been conducting an annual Online Citizen Budget Survey since 2015 to obtain public feedback on spending priorities. The last Citizen Budget was conducted in 2016. 2017 Online Citizen Budget Results here.

7.2.1             2018 Business Plan and Budget Update (File No. CK. 1704-1)

Decision

*The Committee carried unanimously a recommendation that direction be provided regarding implementation or future reporting on 30 Day Challenge Ideas; and that a letter from the Executive Director of NSBA be received as information.

Background

*At its June 19, 2017 meeting, the Governance and Priorities Committee received the 2018 Budget Update report from the CFO/General Manager, Asset and Financial Management Department. The report outlined that the current projected property tax increase for 2018 was 6.48%, and that the Administration was working on several strategies to develop ideas and help mitigate this property tax impact.

August 15, 2017 Meeting

7.2.4 Victoria Avenue Corridor Transportation Improvements

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the proposed plan for Victoria Avenue between 8^th Street and 11^th Street be approved; That the amount of $295,000 be approved for Capital Project #2270 – Paved Roads and Sidewalk Preservation from the Transportation Infrastructure Expansion Reserve; and; That the amount of $30,000 be approved for Capital Project #2270 – Paved Roads and Sidewalk Preservation from the Active Transportation Reserve.

Background

*The Victoria Avenue Corridor Review resulted in a plan to address the combination of motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists anticipated after the Traffic Bridge is reopened.
*The proposed plan will reduce the number of lanes in the southbound direction from two to one and introduces a cycle track adjacent to the sidewalk on both sides.
*The proposed modifications will proceed in conjunction with water main replacement and road rehabilitation of Victoria Avenue in 2017.

7.2.6 2017 Annual Street Sweeping Work Plan

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that the Administration be directed to implement the pilot program in the seven neighbourhoods outlined in the report; and 2. That following the pilot, the Administration report back on the overall effectiveness of the pilot including, but not limited to, citizen feedback and operational impacts.

Background

*Street sweeping is a core function of the City. Each component of the program is executed to enable mobility, preserve air and water quality, maintain surface drainage, and improve aesthetics of City streets and adjacent infrastructure.

*The annual sweeping program is divided into four main program groupings:

1) pre-sweeping winter debris pickup,

2) spring sweeping,

3) summer sweeping, and

4) fall leaf and debris removal.

*The City is piloting a new spring sweeping approach to improve efficiency, reduce costs and alleviate parking concerns in seven neighbourhoods.
*Factors such as a growing street network; balancing program efficiency with safety and parking convenience for citizens; and an intensive sign/ticket/tow approach continue to put pressure on the sweeping schedule and operating budget.

August 15, 2017 Meeting

Yesterday, City Council awarded two important contracts that will oversee the design of transit villages and development of a Brownfield Renewal Strategy.

“As a community, we have the opportunity to ensure that Saskatoon is able to address the challenges we face and to create a city that responds to the needs of our citizens. By investing in doing this work correctly, we are able to build a city with strong transit options, with neighbourhoods that are connected, and that can respond to our rapidly changing world. At this crucial time in our city’s history, the Bus Rapid Transit system is fundamentally important to achieving this and to being the city that gets it right.” – His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor, City of Saskatoon

 At its August 28 meeting, City Council approved the award of two contracts:

• Architectural firm, Dialog, to create concept designs for future Transit Villages at key station locations along the city’s future Bus Rapid Transit Red Line, and
• Environmental assessment agency, Dillon Consulting to develop a strategy to address environmental concerns along major transportation corridors through the creation of a Brownfield Renewal Strategy.

Both companies were the highest scoring firms in their respective competitive processes.  Each competition received five submissions from proponents representing industry-leading Canadian and International firms.  All of the proponents have offices in Western Canada; the majority have offices in Saskatoon.

These firms round out the award-winning team currently implementing the City’s Growth Plan, which includes engineering design firm HDR Inc., and engagement planning firm O2 Planning + Design.

For more information about the City’s plans for growth, visit Saskatoon.ca/growth.

Saskatoon’s growth initiatives are shaping the future of our city and community.  These plans are working together to guide how Saskatoon will grow in the decades ahead, and advance the City’s Strategic Goals of sustainable growth, quality of life, environmental leadership, and moving around.

City Council designated Third Avenue United Church as a Municipal Heritage Property in a unanimous vote at its meeting Monday afternoon.  The move comes following a recommendation made by the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation’s Review and Appeals Committee.

“As the Administration has maintained, the property warrants designation,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.  “Third Avenue United Church is one of most prominent heritage structures in the City, and has significant historical, architectural, aesthetic and cultural value.”

Under The Heritage Property Act, designated properties are provided protection in the form of a bylaw that is registered against the title of the property, and continues to apply with ownership changes.

“Once a property is designated, it is protected from demolition or unsympathetic alterations,” Anderson says.

The Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee asked for the heritage designation to include the exterior and two interior elements, the hammer-beam rafters and the Cassavant organ.

The Heritage Property Act does not require the property owner’s permission to file either the Notice of Intention to Designate or for City Council to pass the bylaw to designate the property.

In 2016, the City of Saskatoon received another ‘AAA’/Stable Credit rating from S&P Global Ratings, recognizing its strong commitment to financial stewardship and transparency. The City’s ongoing commitment to accountability, credibility and clarity in financial reporting is reflected in the 2016 Annual Report - Shaping Our Financial Future now available online.

“As we continue our work on building a better community and delivering high-quality public services, the City’s decision-making process is guided by strong financial planning,” says City Manager Murray Totland. “Our dedication to fiscal responsibility, solid planning and listening to the public – all combine to make Saskatoon a leader in municipal government.”

Totland says in the midst of a challenging economic climate the City continues to look for ways to enhance productivity and reduce costs -- whether building bridges, rehabilitating roadways, or improving services that residents count on every day.

Totland points out the majority of 2016 and 2017 Civic Services Survey respondents agree the City continues to provide a good or very good quality of life, and continues to head in the right direction.

 “Our continuous improvement and smart investments are making a positive difference in our community,” he says. “We are focused on improving service delivery, building amenities, finding cost savings and responsibly managing our debt.”

2016 Achievement Highlights

• Through the Building Better Roads Program, approximately $58.6 million was invested to improve road conditions.  The investment for 2016 was approximately $5.1 million higher than that provided in 2015.
• Completed demolition and construction of all piers at the Traffic Bridge; steel erection of spans underway.  Completed Pier 1 and Pier 2 at the North Commuter Parkway and the east and west abutments neared completion.
• Completed construction of the new Saskatoon Transit Operations Facility and the City’s first Snow Management Facility as part of the new Civic Operations Centre.
• Implemented Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) to provide the communication network for smart meter data to be sent digitally to the City, reducing lost revenues and decreasing operating costs for utilities while improving customer service by providing actual meter reads each month.
• Launched Service Saskatoon, a brand built on four pillars: Citizen Input, Staffing, Systems, and Standards. Developed a dedicated webpage for the public to receive updates and the status of projects for each pillar.  In partnership with Shaw Communications, launched the City’s complimentary public Wi-Fi initiative.
• Worked with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Central Urban Métis Federation Inc., and 54 supporting organizations to launch a month-long series of activities to promote Reconciliation in Saskatoon.

City Council previously approved the 2016 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, and Trust Fund Financial Statements on June 26, 2017, following a report from external auditor, Deloitte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants. The Annual Report will be presented to City Council on August 28, 2017.

“I encourage residents to find out more about how we’ve invested in what matters to citizens, and the City’s many accomplishments in 2016,” Totland adds. “We always work toward building a great quality of life for everyone as we shape Saskatoon’s financial future.”

Visit saskatoon.ca/financialreports to view the major projects and initiatives within the 2016 Annual Report, and other Corporate Reports from the City of Saskatoon.